2023 YANK AWARDS

[Sean_A]

2023 wasn't great for playing new courses with only 10ish in the bag. I did, however, play a few which I have been wanting to see for a while...Cardigan, Pitlochry, Longniddry and Panmure. I played a ton of repeats which I hadn't seen in some time, off the top of my head...Addington, Hillside, Musselburgh Old, Southerndown, Tenby, Pennard, Dornoch, Brora, Elie, West Lancs and Southport & Ainsdale. Only one new play made my Nifty 50.

Most Surprising New Play Course: This has to go to North Foreland. The course has been on my radar, but as it’s so near the Sandwich, Deal & Princes trio I never made the effort. Combined with the neigbouring par 3 course, North Foreland makes for a most satisfying day of golf. Makes my Happy 100.

https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,71989.0.html

The runner-up is St David's City. The 9 holer on the western fringes of Wales serves up the delicious 4th & 8th holes. I had no expectations going in, which is probably the best way to play these off the map courses. Makes my Happy 100.

https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,72189.0.html

Most Disappointing New Play Course: Harrogate. The course has some decent bones, some Colt input and dubious presentation. There isn't a single stand out hole and I would venture to guess it meets the Doak 3 criteria to a tee....dead average.

Best New Play Inland Course: North Foreland.

The runner-up is Longniddry. Interesting course with good variety given the routing restrictions. With some investment Longniddry could be something rather special.

https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,72306.0.html

Best New Play Links: Panmure...seriously enjoyable course. Great walk. All-Scotland 6th, but several high quality holes. There are no exterior views to speak of and yet I have fond memories of a beautiful course.

https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,72239.0.html

Most Surprising Repeat Play Course: There are many worthy candidates this year. I will go with Addington. The bones of the place were always terrific, but the presentation was a mess. Addy is maybe halfway through its renovaton/restoration and the difference is astonishing. There has not been a UK project like this in many, many decades. If in London, play Addy. Makes my Happy 100.

https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,23460.msg945846.html#msg945846

Runner up is Southport & Ainsdale. I didn't have good memories of S&A, but I knew work was done to the course over many years so I gave it a go. Oh my, what a transformation. In a strange way it reminds me of Panmure. There are many better courses, but S&A is of itself.

https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,72239.0.html

Favourite New Play Links: Is Kinghorn a links? I will give it the benefit of the doubt. There is a serious mix of quality holes, but the best of the bunch are enough to see again. Makes my Nifty 50.

https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,72272.msg1738173.html#msg1738173

Favourite New Play Inland Course: North Foreland.

Runner up is Cardigan. Lovely course playing up, down and around a seaside hill. Has a hint of links, but it doesn't matter. Well worth the journey to western Wales. Makes my Happy 100.

https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,72155.0.html

Best Affordable (no deals, under £40/$55) Course Played This Year: This is the third year since 1998 that I haven't played Kington. Step up Cleeve Hill...again. Although, I suspect the green fee will go over £40 next year. The increased media attention and improved greens comes at a price. Makes my Nifty 50.

https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,49796.0.html

Best Moderately Priced (no deals, under £60/$80) Played This Year: Musselburgh Old. Folks mostly talk about stepping back in time when Musselburgh Old is mentioned. While true, there is a lot of quality to be found on this ancient links. Look no further than Mrs Foreman's. Makes my Nifty 50.

https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,72352.0.html

Best Course Played This Year: Four courses stand above all others and I reckon all four are top 15 GB&I. But of the four I will go with North Berwick. Makes my Nifty 50. 

https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,59363.0.html

#1 Runner up: Dornoch. Makes my Nifty 50.

https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,61108.msg1450711.html#msg1450711

2nd Runner up The Old Course. Makes my Nifty 50.

https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,50088.msg1135822.html#msg1135822

3rd Runner up Deal.

https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,44965.msg982124.html#msg982124

Favourite Course Played This Year: Dead heat between Cleeve Hill and Musselburgh Old.

Its been a good year when places like Dunbar, Elie, Southerndown, Hillside, West Lancs, Pennard and Brora don't get mentioned.

Forget the Doak score stuff. Lets see a varied list from you lot.

2022
https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,71559.msg1720280.html#msg1720280

2021
https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,70487.msg1694555.html#msg1694555

2019
https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,67817.msg1622270.html#msg1622270

2017
https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,65278.msg1556508.html#msg1556508

2016
https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,63868.msg1520525.html#msg1520525

2015
https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,62208.msg1478295.html#msg1478295

2014
https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,60104.msg1420510.html#msg1420510

2013
https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,57517.0.html

Ciao

[Thomas Dai]

Glad you finally got to see and liked St David’s City and Cardigan. Top places both.
Atb

[Tommy Williamsen]

I had a most enjoyable year and was able to play a lot of golf in some stunning locations. These are my favorite courses.
BEST RENOVATIONS
LOOKOUT MT
From what I understand, LM could not afford to build the course as Raynor designed it. Tyler Rae and Kyle Franz finally finished the course Raynor intended. It is more than a pretty face. It is a seriously good course.
THE COUNTRY CLUB (OHIO)
Gil Hanse did a marvelous restoration that included tree management, recovery of lost space on the greens, bunker work, and adding 40 yards to 18. I played it 20 years ago, and the changes were nothing short of stupendous. Flynn would be pleased.

BIGGEST SURPRISE
BLACK CREEK
This is Brian Sylva’s ode to Macdonald/Raynor with all the usual template suspects. It was very well done. The back nine is especially good.

BEST GOLDEN AGE COURSES
SEMINOLE (Some of Ross’s best green complexes)
BLUE MOUND (Understated Raynor)
LAWSONIA LINKS (What a great affordable course this is)

BEST NEW BUILD
LIDO (my favorite course of the year)

BEST CONTEMPORARY DESIGNS
PACIFIC DUNES (Doak at his most creative)
THE CLIFFS AT CABOT CAPE BRETON (C&C were given a special coastal site. 16-18 might be some of their most creative holes.)
BANDON TRAILS (C&C didn’t have the ocean, but they did have some dunes, elevation changes, woods, and marsh.)   
DALLAS NATIONAL (Fazio had some great terrain, massive elevation changes, many 100s of acres, and a big budget. He used it all in creating one of his best courses.)
[/font] [/font]

[Ronald Montesano]

Took a trip to Ohio with Hoxsie and Lynch in August. Everything on this list is Ohio. The great state of Ohio is extraordinarily welcoming and hospitable. We stayed at an AIRbnb in the German Village of Columbus, and ventured out from there.
Most Fun course: Lake Forest
I did not expect everything that Lake Forest gave. It was the filler for me, a late addition at the behest of Hoxie's friend/host. The guy was lots of fun, and Lake Forest has a bunch of fun holes. There is some disconnect in architectural styles, but I had no preconceptions, so I didn't find any of them to be outlandish. Well, the 10th hole is outlandish, in the best possible way. If you get the opp, play Lake Forest.


Most Disappointing course: OSU Scarlet
No real sense that MacKenzie was ever here. Just felt like a repurposed tour course, which is what they want. The folks in the shop and bar/cafe were most accommodating, but I just never connected with the course. I first saw it at the 1987 NCAA championship, and I'd wanted to play it ever since. Unfortunately, it's not the same course, sadly.

Runner-Up: OSU Grey
After a morning on the Scarlet, I needed a breather, and I got it on the Grey. There were a few, really good holes on the Grey, but the majority were tame. The greens were not nearly as challenging as I wanted them to be. Again, didn't really feel like MacKenzie was ever here. If ever two courses could benefit from a gentle and caring restoration, it's these two. They deserve better.

Most Thrilling course: NCR South
NCR is a really cool place. They've been incredibly hospitable to me on two occasions: photos first, and golf this time around. The fact that the neighboring club doesn't wish to give me the time of day, makes me feel that much better about NCR. Dick Wilson did incredible work at NCR. Can't wait to see the restoration of the North, after the fun I've had on the South.

Most Unexpected course: Springfield
I had photographed Springfield the last time I was in Ohio, and despite a gout bout, walked the entire course this time. That first hole is the firmest, bone-crushing handshake that Donald Ross ever opened a course with. That I ripped a blind hybrid or something onto the green for a tap-in birdie was whipped cream. So many holes on the course are unforgettable.

Best Muni: Sleepy Hollow
Sleepy Hollow is brawny, and it's a lot of fun to play. We got stuck behind this poor sot who did not know how to golf well, and had his GF in the cart with him. The guy would literally hit four shots, traversing 350 yards, and she would not move the cart (cart-path only that wet day) one inch, until he yodeled. Even Lynch lost it that day. Dude was supposed to be in the group ahead, but missed his tee time. He played as a single in front of us, and played at foursome pace.

Biggest Disappointment: Manakiki
Didn't get to play Manakiki (Lynch still hasn't seen it) because the Cleveland Amateur was finishing up there on Sunday morning, so we had to play Sleepy instead. I like Manakiki more than Sleepy Hollow, so hopefully we'll get back there some day. Maybe a Manakiki-Canton Brookside double, or something.

Best Photo Shoot: Tie
Two days at Oak Hill for PGA Championship, and two days at Old Town for WFU homecoming.

[Brian Finn]

I played relatively few new courses (14) in 2023, but those I did see were generally high quality.  With only 12 repeat plays, more of my golf was at home than in any recent year.  Highlights included a trip to Southern Wales, revisiting some old Ohio favorites, and continuing to enjoy the many great Donald Ross courses throughout North Carolina. 

Most Surprising New Play Course:  Southerndown – once up the huge hill on the first, this course presents solid hole after solid hole, in a beautiful setting overlooking the Bristol Channel.  The 2nd and 18th holes were among the best we played on the trip. 

Best New Play Inland Course:  Old Barnwell – a unique and exciting new design, which I expect will gain notoriety and acclaim as more people have a chance to see it.  I wrote quite a bit in another thread, so will leave it at that.

Runner-up:  Grandfather – a course I had really wanted to see since moving to NC, it surpassed my high expectations.  A routing this good must be very difficult to achieve in the mountains, and the variety and quality of holes is exceptional.  I’m an Ellis Maples fan, and this must be his best.

Best New Play Links:  Royal Porthcawl – one of the best links courses in the world, which we were lucky to play several times over 2.5 days.  Tremendous diversity in design, especially among the par 4s.  Sandy, seaside terrain with holes laid upon the land beautifully.  Off the course, one of my favorite clubs I’ve visited, thanks to a welcoming membership and a surprisingly relaxed, beachside vibe. 

Runner-up:  Pennard – quirky, rambunctious, and wildly fun golf in as beautiful a setting as one could imagine.  Pennard is the course I most wish I could have played a few more times.  We had two rounds scheduled, but due to unusually slow play and a junior tournament, we were unable to go around a second time.  When I return, I will schedule at least 3 rounds, as there was so much to take in.  The 7th was my favorite hole of the entire year.  I’m not sure I’ve seen another course quite like Pennard.  Some similarities to Perranporth, in ways, but even better.

Best Repeat Play Course:  Moraine – I’ve been fortunate to play here several times over the last 12 years, and it improves with every visit.  A wonderful property, consistently kept firm and fast (a real accomplishment for central Ohio) that takes full advantage of the terrain.  Challenging greens, relying more on slope than internal contour, something I haven’t seen much of recently.  Difficult, but playable for all skill levels. 

Runner up:  Carolina GC – after 7 years and hundreds of rounds, I love this course more each time I play it.  The greens are truly outstanding, it’s a great walk, and the course can play so differently from round to round.  While the culture is changing, the broader membership remains one of the best around. 

Best Affordable (no deals, under £40/$55) Course Played This Year:  Cleeve Hill – after playing 36 here in 2022, we brought some friends to see it en route to Wales.  More fun and higher quality than you can find anywhere at this price.  I’d be thrilled if this were my home course.

Best Moderately Priced (no deals, under £60/$80) Played This Year:  Clyne GC – thanks to our resident experts, we scheduled our first round in Wales at Clyne, and our group was not disappointed.  Not a world-beater, but a very pleasant place to spend a few hours with plenty of interesting design. 

Best Course Played This Year:  Royal Porthcawl or Old Barnwell – so different, but both rank very high among my all-time favorites.

[Sean_A]

Took a trip to Ohio with Hoxsie and Lynch in August. Everything on this list is Ohio. The great state of Ohio is extraordinarily welcoming and hospitable. We stayed at an AIRbnb in the German Village of Columbus, and ventured out from there.
Most Fun course: Lake Forest
I did not expect everything that Lake Forest gave. It was the filler for me, a late addition at the behest of Hoxie's friend/host. The guy was lots of fun, and Lake Forest has a bunch of fun holes. There is some disconnect in architectural styles, but I had no preconceptions, so I didn't find any of them to be outlandish. Well, the 10th hole is outlandish, in the best possible way. If you get the opp, play Lake Forest.


Most Disappointing course: OSU Scarlet
No real sense that MacKenzie was ever here. Just felt like a repurposed tour course, which is what they want. The folks in the shop and bar/cafe were most accommodating, but I just never connected with the course. I first saw it at the 1987 NCAA championship, and I'd wanted to play it ever since. Unfortunately, it's not the same course, sadly.

Runner-Up: OSU Grey
After a morning on the Scarlet, I needed a breather, and I got it on the Grey. There were a few, really good holes on the Grey, but the majority were tame. The greens were not nearly as challenging as I wanted them to be. Again, didn't really feel like MacKenzie was ever here. If ever two courses could benefit from a gentle and caring restoration, it's these two. They deserve better.

Most Thrilling course: NCR South
NCR is a really cool place. They've been incredibly hospitable to me on two occasions: photos first, and golf this time around. The fact that the neighboring club doesn't wish to give me the time of day, makes me feel that much better about NCR. Dick Wilson did incredible work at NCR. Can't wait to see the restoration of the North, after the fun I've had on the South.

Most Unexpected course: Springfield
I had photographed Springfield the last time I was in Ohio, and despite a gout bout, walked the entire course this time. That first hole is the firmest, bone-crushing handshake that Donald Ross ever opened a course with. That I ripped a blind hybrid or something onto the green for a tap-in birdie was whipped cream. So many holes on the course are unforgettable.

Best Muni: Sleepy Hollow
Sleepy Hollow is brawny, and it's a lot of fun to play. We got stuck behind this poor sot who did not know how to golf well, and had his GF in the cart with him. The guy would literally hit four shots, traversing 350 yards, and she would not move the cart (cart-path only that wet day) one inch, until he yodeled. Even Lynch lost it that day. Dude was supposed to be in the group ahead, but missed his tee time. He played as a single in front of us, and played at foursome pace.

Biggest Disappointment: Manakiki
Didn't get to play Manakiki (Lynch still hasn't seen it) because the Cleveland Amateur was finishing up there on Sunday morning, so we had to play Sleepy instead. I like Manakiki more than Sleepy Hollow, so hopefully we'll get back there some day. Maybe a Manakiki-Canton Brookside double, or something.

Best Photo Shoot: Tie
Two days at Oak Hill for PGA Championship, and two days at Old Town for WFU homecoming.

It seems like many folks are not impressed with OSU with the notable exception of Sweet Lou. I must admit that I have never been tempted to visit that school down south, but what are the issues with the courses?


Ciao

[Ronald Montesano]

The Scarlet was redone in the vision of a former touring professional of some reknown, who grew up down the street and attended that school. It has many, all-or-nothing shots. The Gray is a course that could use some of the Scarlet's bunkers, and some of its putting-surface undulations. I could go into depth; maybe I will, in a future thread.


It might be me balancing unrealistic expectations with reality. I want every MacKenzie to be Pasatiempo. I haven't seen his other works.

[Brad Tufts]

This was a good year getting back out to play some new venues...I had 24 new plays this year among many great repeats.


Best new play:  Greywalls...LOVED it.  It's wild for sure, and I had a good day, but it was great golf on the level of the Keiser resort courses.  Runner up was Culver, which I expected to be good, but it was amazing!


Most surprising new play:  Belvedere...went into the round expecting it to be not quite as good as the hype, and it was awesome.  Runner-ups were Springfield in OH, Flossmoor, and Chattanooga G&CC.


Most disappointing new play:  Quintero in AZ...it's not a bad course, it just didn't meet its lofty ranking in a deep area for golf.  I just didn't find it terribly dynamic.  Also didn't help that my 25+ handicap playing partners insisted on playing the 6800y tees with me, and they both shot about 150.  They wanted to play up but I didn't, which apparently was taken as questioning their manhood.    Runner-up:  Pfau at IU.  Need another crack, as what I saw was penal to the point of absurdity on many holes, but maybe I just stunk.


Best repeat play:  I tend to always say Essex CC in Mass, which I am lucky enough to play every year, but tough to beat Nanea for vibe, setting, and containing a number of compelling golf shots.  Newport CC was an honorable mention, love that place.


Most surprising repeat play: Salem Municipal (Olde Salem Greens)...played this nine for the first time in a while on a Monday when my club was closed...it's a 30s Wayne Stiles design.  It's as quirky as I remember, but they have removed trees to highlight the rock outcroppings, and expanded the greens WAY out to the edges of the fillpads, and it's totally cool!  It was wet the day I played, but with some firmness, it would be very fun.  Recommended if you are in the area seeing the Boston stalwarts.


Best affordable:  See above.  NM State University's course was better than expected too.


Best Course of the year:  I was fortunate to play the renovated/restored Oakland Hills South, and it was amazing.  They have highlighted a number of stately trees by removing most of them, and there are some great green complexes.  I also loved what they did with the 7th hole.


Favorite of the year: Tie between Greywalls and Culver!


Wish I could add links categories, but this was not an overseas travel year!

[Sean_A]

I played relatively few new courses (14) in 2023, but those I did see were generally high quality.  With only 12 repeat plays, more of my golf was at home than in any recent year.  Highlights included a trip to Southern Wales, revisiting some old Ohio favorites, and continuing to enjoy the many great Donald Ross courses throughout North Carolina. 

Most Surprising New Play Course:  Southerndown – once up the huge hill on the first, this course presents solid hole after solid hole, in a beautiful setting overlooking the Bristol Channel.  The 2nd and 18th holes were among the best we played on the trip. 

Best New Play Inland Course:  Old Barnwell – a unique and exciting new design, which I expect will gain notoriety and acclaim as more people have a chance to see it.  I wrote quite a bit in another thread, so will leave it at that.

Runner-up:  Grandfather – a course I had really wanted to see since moving to NC, it surpassed my high expectations.  A routing this good must be very difficult to achieve in the mountains, and the variety and quality of holes is exceptional.  I’m an Ellis Maples fan, and this must be his best.

Best New Play Links:  Royal Porthcawl – one of the best links courses in the world, which we were lucky to play several times over 2.5 days.  Tremendous diversity in design, especially among the par 4s.  Sandy, seaside terrain with holes laid upon the land beautifully.  Off the course, one of my favorite clubs I’ve visited, thanks to a welcoming membership and a surprisingly relaxed, beachside vibe. 

Runner-up:  Pennard – quirky, rambunctious, and wildly fun golf in as beautiful a setting as one could imagine.  Pennard is the course I most wish I could have played a few more times.  We had two rounds scheduled, but due to unusually slow play and a junior tournament, we were unable to go around a second time.  When I return, I will schedule at least 3 rounds, as there was so much to take in.  The 7th was my favorite hole of the entire year.  I’m not sure I’ve seen another course quite like Pennard.  Some similarities to Perranporth, in ways, but even better.

Best Repeat Play Course:  Moraine – I’ve been fortunate to play here several times over the last 12 years, and it improves with every visit.  A wonderful property, consistently kept firm and fast (a real accomplishment for central Ohio) that takes full advantage of the terrain.  Challenging greens, relying more on slope than internal contour, something I haven’t seen much of recently.  Difficult, but playable for all skill levels. 

Runner up:  Carolina GC – after 7 years and hundreds of rounds, I love this course more each time I play it.  The greens are truly outstanding, it’s a great walk, and the course can play so differently from round to round.  While the culture is changing, the broader membership remains one of the best around. 

Best Affordable (no deals, under £40/$55) Course Played This Year:  Cleeve Hill – after playing 36 here in 2022, we brought some friends to see it en route to Wales.  More fun and higher quality than you can find anywhere at this price.  I’d be thrilled if this were my home course.

Best Moderately Priced (no deals, under £60/$80) Played This Year:  Clyne GC – thanks to our resident experts, we scheduled our first round in Wales at Clyne, and our group was not disappointed.  Not a world-beater, but a very pleasant place to spend a few hours with plenty of interesting design. 

Best Course Played This Year:  Royal Porthcawl or Old Barnwell – so different, but both rank very high among my all-time favorites.

It sounds like you were very impressed with golf in south Wales. Do you play Tenby?

Ciao

[Brian Finn]

I played relatively few new courses (14) in 2023, but those I did see were generally high quality.  With only 12 repeat plays, more of my golf was at home than in any recent year.  Highlights included a trip to Southern Wales, revisiting some old Ohio favorites, and continuing to enjoy the many great Donald Ross courses throughout North Carolina. 

Most Surprising New Play Course:  Southerndown – once up the huge hill on the first, this course presents solid hole after solid hole, in a beautiful setting overlooking the Bristol Channel.  The 2nd and 18th holes were among the best we played on the trip. 

Best New Play Inland Course:  Old Barnwell – a unique and exciting new design, which I expect will gain notoriety and acclaim as more people have a chance to see it.  I wrote quite a bit in another thread, so will leave it at that.

Runner-up:  Grandfather – a course I had really wanted to see since moving to NC, it surpassed my high expectations.  A routing this good must be very difficult to achieve in the mountains, and the variety and quality of holes is exceptional.  I’m an Ellis Maples fan, and this must be his best.

Best New Play Links:  Royal Porthcawl – one of the best links courses in the world, which we were lucky to play several times over 2.5 days.  Tremendous diversity in design, especially among the par 4s.  Sandy, seaside terrain with holes laid upon the land beautifully.  Off the course, one of my favorite clubs I’ve visited, thanks to a welcoming membership and a surprisingly relaxed, beachside vibe. 

Runner-up:  Pennard – quirky, rambunctious, and wildly fun golf in as beautiful a setting as one could imagine.  Pennard is the course I most wish I could have played a few more times.  We had two rounds scheduled, but due to unusually slow play and a junior tournament, we were unable to go around a second time.  When I return, I will schedule at least 3 rounds, as there was so much to take in.  The 7th was my favorite hole of the entire year.  I’m not sure I’ve seen another course quite like Pennard.  Some similarities to Perranporth, in ways, but even better.

Best Repeat Play Course:  Moraine – I’ve been fortunate to play here several times over the last 12 years, and it improves with every visit.  A wonderful property, consistently kept firm and fast (a real accomplishment for central Ohio) that takes full advantage of the terrain.  Challenging greens, relying more on slope than internal contour, something I haven’t seen much of recently.  Difficult, but playable for all skill levels. 

Runner up:  Carolina GC – after 7 years and hundreds of rounds, I love this course more each time I play it.  The greens are truly outstanding, it’s a great walk, and the course can play so differently from round to round.  While the culture is changing, the broader membership remains one of the best around. 

Best Affordable (no deals, under £40/$55) Course Played This Year:  Cleeve Hill – after playing 36 here in 2022, we brought some friends to see it en route to Wales.  More fun and higher quality than you can find anywhere at this price.  I’d be thrilled if this were my home course.

Best Moderately Priced (no deals, under £60/$80) Played This Year:  Clyne GC – thanks to our resident experts, we scheduled our first round in Wales at Clyne, and our group was not disappointed.  Not a world-beater, but a very pleasant place to spend a few hours with plenty of interesting design. 

Best Course Played This Year:  Royal Porthcawl or Old Barnwell – so different, but both rank very high among my all-time favorites.

It sounds like you were very impressed with golf in south Wales. Do you play Tenby?

Ciao

Yes, we did play Tenby.  I really enjoyed the course.  It was firm, raw, rolling links turf with a bunch of really good holes.  It gets off to a great start (particularly enjoyed the 3rd hole), and there was plenty to appreciate from there on.  I loved the 12th (guilty of appreciating the view too much, perhaps), although going low and right gave me quite a daunting uphill pitch.  The long walk across the tracks was odd, and those holes seemed a bit different than the rest (though I thought the par 3 over there was solid), but going around that section on a warm evening was pretty pleasant.  We were happy to play so many different courses, but also found ourselves really wanting a second crack at several, including Tenby.  I will definitely return to South Wales, and a day at Tenby will be on the itinerary.

[Ira Fishman]

Not a lot of new courses but very high quality.


Best New Inland: Gleneagles Kings. A great variety of holes with several very strong long (even from the resort tees) Par 4s. Inland but quite fast and firm which extuenated the noticeable land movement.


Best New Links: Royal Aberdeen. People on here and other reviews emphasize the first nine perhaps because of the dramatic land and proximity to the sea, but I thought that the second nine was at least as good from a strategic experience both off the tee and into the greens. RA nosed out Cruden Bay in this category.


Most Dramatic New Play: Cruden Bay. It really needs to be seen to appreciate how the routing maximizes the dunes and landforms. 13 through 17 are unique in a way similar to 13 through 17 at North Berwick.


Best Replay UK: Elie. We were having a blast in a strong wind when the rain came in on 10 (the furthest point from the clubhouse). We were soaked by 12 and were having even more fun. The group in front of us who were playing it for the first time had the same view. Elie is just such a great mix of holes even though 16 of them are Par 4s. Number 13 simply is all world.


Best Replay US: Mid Pines. The more we play it, the more I think that there are no weak holes and the more that I appreciate the greens complexes.


Biggest Surprise: Fraserburgh. We put it on the schedule because it seemed to be a course that we would enjoy. It was and then some. It was a windy, raw day which matched the nature of the course. It brought to mind Brora in that it is just pure golf with no frills.


Best Value: Fraserburgh.


Still Mysterious Four Months Later: TOC. Unfortunately, I probably will never get the opportunity to play it again in hopes of figuring it out.


Best Course: Gleneagles Kings.

[Sean_A]

The Scarlet was redone in the vision of a former touring professional of some reknown, who grew up down the street and attended that school. It has many, all-or-nothing shots. The Gray is a course that could use some of the Scarlet's bunkers, and some of its putting-surface undulations. I could go into depth; maybe I will, in a future thread.


It might be me balancing unrealistic expectations with reality. I want every MacKenzie to be Pasatiempo. I haven't seen his other works.

So, too much Jack and not enough of the Good Doctor?


Merry Christmas

[John Foley]

In a year where I played more golf than probably any other year, I saw fewer new places than I have in the past few. Goal for 2024 is to improve on that.
Best Repeat Course Bayonne - Just a spectacular engineering feet and amazing views. It's a test that demands excellence w/ your game and one or two poor shots. The day we played had some impossible pins that I normally don't see which really amped up the challenge.


Best New Course I played Mountain Lake - I am a huge fan of Raynor and the templates. This one did not disappoint.


Biggest Surprise Shooting Star - Yeah, the huge lake is a bit out of place, but the routing is very good, the green sites and bunkering are tremendous. Spectacular setting & scenery to die for. Overall I'd say it's one of if not the very best of Fazio's work I have seen.


Biggest Surprise II Berkeley Hall South - At the risk of professing too much love for Fazio in one post, I found the architecture here to be very good. The mix of short and long was well done, enough bunkering and swales to provide interest, but not overdone. Water in play but not too forced. The finish of back nine w/ the short par 3 16, par 5 17th and tough par 4 18th was a great mix.


Best Course I Saw LACC North - I worked the US Open and spent everyday seeking out every inch of the course I could. Two things came across, the routing is world class and they way Hanse renovated it and made it feel like it's been this way forever is truly remarkable. An absolute world class venue.

[Tom_Doak]

The Scarlet was redone in the vision of a former touring professional of some reknown, who grew up down the street and attended that school. It has many, all-or-nothing shots. The Gray is a course that could use some of the Scarlet's bunkers, and some of its putting-surface undulations. I could go into depth; maybe I will, in a future thread.


It might be me balancing unrealistic expectations with reality. I want every MacKenzie to be Pasatiempo. I haven't seen his other works.

I have not gone back to see Jack Nicklaus’s version of the Scarlet, because I have never heard a good reason to go.


However, it’s an odd place to look for Dr MacKenzie, considering that th  we course was built two years after he passed away, and not by one of his former partners.

[mike_malone]

Not a lot of new courses but very high quality.


Best New Inland: Gleneagles Kings. A great variety of holes with several very strong long (even from the resort tees) Par 4s. Inland but quite fast and firm which extuenated the noticeable land movement.


Best New Links: Royal Aberdeen. People on here and other reviews emphasize the first nine perhaps because of the dramatic land and proximity to the sea, but I thought that the second nine was at least as good from a strategic experience both off the tee and into the greens. RA nosed out Cruden Bay in this category.


Most Dramatic New Play: Cruden Bay. It really needs to be seen to appreciate how the routing maximizes the dunes and landforms. 13 through 17 are unique in a way similar to 13 through 17 at North Berwick.


Best Replay UK: Elie. We were having a blast in a strong wind when the rain came in on 10 (the furthest point from the clubhouse). We were soaked by 12 and were having even more fun. The group in front of us who were playing it for the first time had the same view. Elie is just such a great mix of holes even though 16 of them are Par 4s. Number 13 simply is all world.


Best Replay US: Mid Pines. The more we play it, the more I think that there are no weak holes and the more that I appreciate the greens complexes.


Biggest Surprise: Fraserburgh. We put it on the schedule because it seemed to be a course that we would enjoy. It was and then some. It was a windy, raw day which matched the nature of the course. It brought to mind Brora in that it is just pure golf with no frills.


Best Value: Fraserburgh.


Still Mysterious Four Months Later: TOC. Unfortunately, I probably will never get the opportunity to play it again in hopes of figuring it out.


Best Course: Gleneagles Kings.

Ira,


I can’t exactly express what I find enjoyable in a golf course but from the first hole to the last I loved Mid Pines. It was my first round in Pinehurst so maybe that explains some of it. But the routing and the green complexes were so endearing to me. Glad to see you loved it as well.

[Tim Martin]

Not a lot of new courses but very high quality.


Best New Inland: Gleneagles Kings. A great variety of holes with several very strong long (even from the resort tees) Par 4s. Inland but quite fast and firm which extuenated the noticeable land movement.


Best New Links: Royal Aberdeen. People on here and other reviews emphasize the first nine perhaps because of the dramatic land and proximity to the sea, but I thought that the second nine was at least as good from a strategic experience both off the tee and into the greens. RA nosed out Cruden Bay in this category.


Most Dramatic New Play: Cruden Bay. It really needs to be seen to appreciate how the routing maximizes the dunes and landforms. 13 through 17 are unique in a way similar to 13 through 17 at North Berwick.


Best Replay UK: Elie. We were having a blast in a strong wind when the rain came in on 10 (the furthest point from the clubhouse). We were soaked by 12 and were having even more fun. The group in front of us who were playing it for the first time had the same view. Elie is just such a great mix of holes even though 16 of them are Par 4s. Number 13 simply is all world.


Best Replay US: Mid Pines. The more we play it, the more I think that there are no weak holes and the more that I appreciate the greens complexes.


Biggest Surprise: Fraserburgh. We put it on the schedule because it seemed to be a course that we would enjoy. It was and then some. It was a windy, raw day which matched the nature of the course. It brought to mind Brora in that it is just pure golf with no frills.


Best Value: Fraserburgh.


Still Mysterious Four Months Later: TOC. Unfortunately, I probably will never get the opportunity to play it again in hopes of figuring it out.


Best Course: Gleneagles Kings.

Ira,


I can’t exactly express what I find enjoyable in a golf course but from the first hole to the last I loved Mid Pines. It was my first round in Pinehurst so maybe that explains some of it. But the routing and the green complexes were so endearing to me. Glad to see you loved it as well.

Mike-Mid Pines was my first play in the Pinehurst area also and remains one of my favorites not just of Ross but any designer. The membership that includes Mid Pines, Pine Needles and Southern Pines is my idea of golf nirvana.

[Sean_A]

This was a good year getting back out to play some new venues...I had 24 new plays this year among many great repeats.


Best new play:  Greywalls...LOVED it.  It's wild for sure, and I had a good day, but it was great golf on the level of the Keiser resort courses.  Runner up was Culver, which I expected to be good, but it was amazing!


Most surprising new play:  Belvedere...went into the round expecting it to be not quite as good as the hype, and it was awesome.  Runner-ups were Springfield in OH, Flossmoor, and Chattanooga G&CC.


Most disappointing new play:  Quintero in AZ...it's not a bad course, it just didn't meet its lofty ranking in a deep area for golf.  I just didn't find it terribly dynamic.  Also didn't help that my 25+ handicap playing partners insisted on playing the 6800y tees with me, and they both shot about 150.  They wanted to play up but I didn't, which apparently was taken as questioning their manhood.    Runner-up:  Pfau at IU.  Need another crack, as what I saw was penal to the point of absurdity on many holes, but maybe I just stunk.


Best repeat play:  I tend to always say Essex CC in Mass, which I am lucky enough to play every year, but tough to beat Nanea for vibe, setting, and containing a number of compelling golf shots.  Newport CC was an honorable mention, love that place.


Most surprising repeat play: Salem Municipal (Olde Salem Greens)...played this nine for the first time in a while on a Monday when my club was closed...it's a 30s Wayne Stiles design.  It's as quirky as I remember, but they have removed trees to highlight the rock outcroppings, and expanded the greens WAY out to the edges of the fillpads, and it's totally cool!  It was wet the day I played, but with some firmness, it would be very fun.  Recommended if you are in the area seeing the Boston stalwarts.


Best affordable:  See above.  NM State University's course was better than expected too.


Best Course of the year:  I was fortunate to play the renovated/restored Oakland Hills South, and it was amazing.  They have highlighted a number of stately trees by removing most of them, and there are some great green complexes.  I also loved what they did with the 7th hole.


Favorite of the year: Tie between Greywalls and Culver!


Wish I could add links categories, but this was not an overseas travel year!

Brad….why is it your favourite of the year? I note that Mike has continued to do much more work since I saw it last year.


Happy Boxing Day

[Mark Pearce]

I didn't play as much golf as usual this year, and only two courses for the first time (one excellent, one a pleasant surprise), but here's a pass at Sean's categories[/size]

Most Surprising New Play Course: Gog Magog I visit Cambridge a lot.  It's very flat round there.  But the Gogs had a surprising amount of movement and some really good golf.  Looking forward to a return visit.[/color][/size]Most Disappointing New Play Course: No Award Given that my new plays this year were Gog Magog (which I liked more than I expected) and Royal Aberdeen, I can't say I was disappointed by a new play. Best New Play Inland Course: Gog Magog But then it was my only new play inland course....Best New Play Links: Royal Aberdeen  As brilliant a front 9 as I had hoped and the back 9 was better than expected.  A serious contender.Most Surprising Repeat Play Course: I wasn't really surprised by a repeat play but perhaps I was more impressed by Musselburgh Old than I rememberedFavourite New Play Links: Royal Aberdeen obviouslyFavourite New Play Inland Course: Gog Magog, in a field of one but still very good.Best Affordable (no deals, under £40/$55) Course Played This Year: KinghornBest Moderately Priced (no deals, under £60/$80) Played This Year: Musselburgh Old. Best Course Played This Year:  Muirfield  As it will be until I stop getting the invitation, or until I get back to AustraliaFavourite Course Played This Year: Elie  As it will be for a long time, I hope[/color]

[John Mayhugh]

 Following Sean’s lead (never a bad idea), here’s a summary of my 2023 golf.  Not a big year for quantity of new courses played, but very pleased with what I saw: Lido, Sedge Valley, St. Georges Hill (all three 9s), Berkhamsted, Minchinhampton Old, Players Club Stranahan, Hillcrest, & Lakeside. It was a fine year for repeat plays, including Elie, Muirfield, Castle Stuart, Brora, Royal Dornoch, St. Andrews Old, North Berwick, Huntercombe, Painswick, Cleeve Hill, Blue Mound, & Beverly.
 
Most Surprising New Play Course: Players Club Stranahan. Tony Muldoon made the wise decision to base Buda at The Players Club, which worked out really well. I was a little skeptical of including the Stranahan course, thinking we were just playing it since we were there. Instead, I got to see a really good set of green complexes and a course that, while short on the card, was plenty thought provoking. We didn’t have good weather so only made it around once, but I’ll be sure to return.
 
Most Surprising New Play Course Runner Up: Hillcrest. I never saw the version before Kyle Phillips, but the course now is outstanding. It was fascinating hearing about the routing prior to the changes. Lots of width, amazing views, very good variety of holes and interesting green complexes. And the halfway house was even better than my lofty expectations.
 
Most Disappointing New Play Course: Berkhamsted. I liked the looks of the course and the varied berms and hollows, but too many trees and relatively bland greens lower the impression a bit. Worth playing, but I expected more.
 
Best New Play Inland Course: Lido. We aren’t calling it a links, are we? No matter how the course is categorized, it’s incredible. I know we talk a lot about giving some time before rating courses, but it’s easy to see Lido ending up World Top 25 in short order. Just imagine if the Old Course and NGLA had a baby.... Every shot is interesting, and the challenge varies greatly depending on what line you take. It’s the most complex course I’ve seen, and astonishing to think this was designed for play 100 years ago.
 
Best New Play Inland Course Runner Up: Sedge Valley. You would be forgiven for expecting Lido’s par 68 neighbor to much smaller in scale and intimate, but playing corridors are wide. After the first few holes, you find out that plotting your way is very important here. Green contours aren’t as bold as one might expect from Doak, but the contours are still there and very clever. It’s easily the best course at the resort (excepting Lido).
 
Best New Play Links: Sadly, none this year.
 
Best Repeat Play Links: Tie, St. Andrews Old & Muirfield. Both are nearly perfect but in different ways.
 
Most Surprising Repeat Play Course: Maybe not that surprising, but it was good to be reminded why Huntercombe should not be missed if you’re on a London trip. Brilliant green after brilliant green, and makes the most of the features of the land. People should be flocking here, but I do love the quiet charm. Progress has been made on opening things up more by addressing trees and undergrowth, but still more could be done.
 
Best Affordable Course Played This Year: Has to be Cleeve Hill. I’m really thankful that new owners stepped up a couple of years ago and kept the course open. Such a fun combination of adventure and rustic golf. Tremendous scale and views, with plenty of room to play and width compensating nicely for blindness. Overall a very good course. Awareness of Cleeve, along with Kington, might be Sean’s greatest contribution to my UK golf experiences.
 
Best Course Played This Year: Return to the tie between Muirfield and TOC.
Runner Up: Lido
 
Top Experiences:
Elie with Mark Pearce
Close encounter with a Highland Coo at Brora
Tour of the new course site at Castle Stuart with Clyde Johnson
Playing the 18^th at TOC in the dark - last group in
Monday foursomes at Muirfield
My friend’s face as he saw the 16^th green at North Berwick
Buda after 4 years away
Golf with Lupin (Tony Muldoon’s dog) at Painswick
36 holes on a perfect day at St. George’s Hill
Playing all 18 at Sedge Valley (twice), including the first hole with Tom
Renaissance Cup at Lido with Michael Wolf
 
Favorite Course Played This Year: I’ll call it a tie between Elie & North Berwick. Golf by the sea just can’t be surpassed, and both of those courses also have an undeniable joy to be alive factor.

[Paul Dolton]

My best new play was Lanark Golf Club. Well worth a visit if you are near Glasgow.


The best value for money was Newbiggin Golf Club. I did use the county card but it was fantastic value. "Smithy" played it a day or so after me and I totally agree with his rating.  It's just north of Newcastle.

[James Reader]

68 courses for me this year, of which 38 were new to me.


Taking Sean’s lead on the categories (and with apologies for the formatting, which I still can’t get to grips with).


Most surprising new play

I’ve played quite a few Alister Mackenzie courses this year, several for the first time.  Morecambe stood out as one about which I had zero expectations but really enjoyed. 5,800 yards of great fun, particularly with the firm and fast conditions on the day I played. The 4th is my most surprising new play hole - 440 yards snaking between out of bounds on the left and a hillside on the right; drive safely out to the right and your second is semi-blind over a corner of the hill diagonally into a narrow green with OOB left, probably with the ball above your feet. I wish I’d taken some photos because I can’t find any online and I’m wondering if it really is as good a hole as my initial impression suggests.

Honourable mention - Pitreavie; another Mackenzie with a fabulous set of greens.

Most disappointing new play


I really expected (and wanted) to enjoy Burntisland, which I thought was going to be right up my street, but was unfortunately left underwhelmed. The wet conditions probably didn’t help but there are just too many pretty ordinary holes for me.

(Dis)honourable mention - Hesketh, because the land you see around the clubhouse as you arrive is so great but there just isn’t anywhere near enough of it.

Best (and favourite) new play inland

I’d been wanting to play Delamere Forest for years and now wish I’d done so much sooner. It’s a fabulous piece of land with a sense of scale that I can’t think is matched by many inland courses in the UK (with the possible exception of Cleeve Hill).

Honourable mention - Ipswich, Purdis Heath

Best and favourite new play links

I find it hard to choose between two very different courses: Royal Troon - even on a cold, wet and very windy day in January, with the Postage Stamp green out of play - and Trump International. The former is the one I’m keenest to play again (and not just because I missed out on its most famous hole), so I’ll go for that as my favourite and the latter as the best.
Best new play 9 holes
I didn’t even know there was a 9-hole course at Kilmarnock until the day before I played it but I was really impressed by the Hillhouse. There are a number of really good links holes with some great greens on what used to be part of the main Barassie course until 9 new holes were built in the 90s.
Most surprising repeat play
I was a member of Pleasington for a few years in the early 2000s and always liked the course but I hadn’t seen it for nearly 20 years. It’s now two thirds of the way through a very impressive renovation led by Ken Moodie and it’s clearly going to be very good when it’s finished. The work is dramatically improving the bunkering and starting to regain some of the heathland feel that had been largely lost. It’s a bit of a shame that the unique 7th is no longer quite as bonkers as it used to be, but I have to admit that it is a better hole for the tree clearance and reshaping of the fairway.
Best affordable (under £40)
I can’t improve on Cleeve Hill, which has already been mentioned.
Honourable mention - £12.50 for an open competition at Burnley may be the best value out there. It’s a James Braid moorland high in the Pennine hills above the town.
Best moderately priced (under £60)
It unfortunately won’t be eligible for this category next year but the Eden is real favourite of mine. I keep hearing rumours that they’re going to do something about the terrible 14th and 15th but until then it’s worth it for the other 16 holes and some of the very best greens I’ve seen. 
Best course played
I found out afterwards that I had Covid on the day I played Carnoustie, which might explain why I felt bad and played worse. Even so I couldn’t fail to enjoy a course which grows on me every time I play it. The ‘Carnasty’ reputation really isn’t deserved anymore and it’s a shame if that puts anyone off playing it. It’s certainly challenging but the rough is perfectly reasonable and it’s full of great holes that reward good shots (as was illustrated by the 7 birdies that the member I played with had that day!).

[ward peyronnin]

Yank
Somewhat mystifird as our ticket at Musselburgh was under 12 quid?  Isn't it bettr than mid priced?

[Sean_A]

Yank
Somewhat mystifird as our ticket at Musselburgh was under 12 quid?  Isn't it bettr than mid priced?

Musselburgh Old is not better than Cleeve Hill. Essentially takes second place 😎.


Happy New Year

[Tony_Muldoon]

The best value for money was Newbiggin Golf Club. I did use the county card but it was fantastic value. "Smithy" played it a day or so after me and I totally agree with his rating.  It's just north of Newcastle.

What did you like about it?


I enjoyed the par 4 out to the point (3rd?)and about 4 holes around the turn were superb, but its in a a tough area for VFM. 
Alnick Village and Seahouses back 9 offfer better bang for ones buck?

[Brad Tufts]

Brad….why is it your favourite of the year? I note that Mike has continued to do much more work since I saw it last year.


Happy Boxing Day

Hi Sean,  apologies for the delay.  I'm not sure what MD did lately to update Greywalls, as this was my first visit, but I loved the roller-coaster aspect of the terrain that still played at the scale of golf shots.  I often like golf that looks very tough, but once you get to know the course, there is ample room to play.  There are great half-par holes both short and long, and several sections of the course that make the round feel like a journey.  I suppose you could say the one quibble is that GW is never going to be a walking course, but if a cart allows us to see these vistas when the course would not have been built otherwise, then so be it!  I will be curious if they ever get to build the planned clubhouse behind the 18th green.